2012 Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Coming from a former Christmas tree farm turned vineyard, the 2012 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard is one of the more perfumed, forward and textured releases in the lineup. Coming from clay, sandy soils and an east-facing slope that's protected from the warmer afternoon sun, this beauty (which was fermented with 60% whole clusters in 2012) has a lively, intense bouquet of sweet black cherries, spice, potpourri and assorted floral characteristics. This gives way to a seamless, silky and elegant Pinot Noir that, while surprisingly forward, has a solid, full mid-palate, solid depth, moderate acidity and a great finish. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Leased from Stanford, the only vineyard they don’t own. Pacific side of the fault, not North American, with deep soils. Luscious fruit. Very sweet and round and charming. Hint of violets. Clear and precise. Super-charming but perhaps just a tad too sweet. (JR)
The floral component that many of the wines in the range display is more evident along with the same lovely freshness to the dark Pinot fruit and Asian tea aromas. From a textural standpoint this more resembles the Alpine as there is good verve and detail to the middle weight flavors that culminate in a palate coating, balanced and impressively lingering finish. This is exceptionally pretty but doesn't quite have the depth of the best in the range, at least not yet. *Outstanding*
The 2012 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard is wonderfully supple and radiant, with the fruit front and center and aromatics more in the background. Silky tannins support a core of dark red stone fruits, spices, new leather and pine. I expect the 2012 will provide a wide and relatively long drinking window of pure pleasure. The 2012 was done with 60% whole clusters, all beautifully integrated, even at this early stage of the game. (AG)